Remembering PNoy

It was PNoy's death anniversary the other day and I can't help but look back at how I'm grateful to him and his team. The launch of YouTube in the Philippines was one of the most important projects I did. PNoy was one of the world leaders who agreed to do the YouTube Worldview interview. Mind you, it wasn't easy to get his approval, but he eventually did. Whew!

Citizens submitted their questions. The question selected was voted by the citizens too. The interviewee only found out about the questions during the actual interview. I was the only Filipino in the team who came for the interview and when it was my turn to shake the President's hand I proudly introduced myself as the only Pinoy in the team (haha, no choice, wala pang PH team nun). It was met with a firm, hearty handshake. 

Photo by: Malacanan' PCDSPO

I was honestly flabbergasted during the interview. PNoy answered the questions with facts, laws/republic acts, and a crazy amount of data. Mind you the questions were really varied and he had no idea what would be thrown at him. He forgot just one data point, but within the day I received over  email the fact that he forgot. He definitely knew what he was talking about and as cabinet secretaries eventually shared, cabinet meetings were like thesis' defense. You really have to know what you're talking about. 

Here's the full interview in case you missed it:

Thank you PNoy for so far being the best President in my lifetime.

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Thank You PNoy

Today Former President Noynoy Aquino was laid to rest beside his parents. I've been reading articles written by his former staff. Watched a couple of the eulogies. It's interesting to learn more about PNoy as a person. Looking back, hearing about his personal life was very rare during his presidency. 

Former Secretary Rene Almendras explained he understood PNoy better after reading Ninoy's letter to him. His father had instructed him to take care of his mother and sisters. That alone was a huge responsibility, but he eventually carried the torch his parents started. I can just imagine the personal sacrifice he did to fulfill his responsibilities. His death is a timely reminder to us that we must continue the fight. 

"The Filipino is worth dying for." - Ninoy

"The Filipino is worth living for." - PNoy

MLQ added this line in his tribute, "The Filipino is worth fighting for."

Thank you PNoy for your service for all of us. 

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What I Learned from PNoy

Woke up to the news that Former Philippine President Noynoy Aquino passed away this morning. It's super sad news since he's still young and served the country with integrity during his term. The news came as a surprise since he's just been living a quiet, retired life. There was some news last Christmas that he had a check-up, but they said there was nothing to worry about. 

I have had the opportunity to work closely with PNoy's team for a couple of projects during his term. They were all very professional and progressive. This was also present in other departments of the government. Relationships were based on mutual respect with the goal of doing what's best for the Filipino people. That's what I would always remember about PNoy's term as president. 

I met PNoy when the YouTube World View livestream. I was the only Filipino in the delegation so I greeted him in Tagalog. He gave all of us a warm welcome. One thing I discovered during the session was his amazing attention to detail. He relayed so many stats across the different issues presented to him. He obviously made his decisions based on data. 

I think one thing we can learn from PNoy's life is the way he looked at serving the people. Here's a quote from a speech he gave at the Loyola Marymount University where he was conferred a degree -

"There are so many who are disenfranchised, who are powerless, who are in a condition that really can make them so despondent, so cynical, so hopeless. But yet, they strive in their daily lives and if there was one mission that we sought out, those that have joined us in this quest, it is that we have to maximize opportunities for all. And in the end, that is not just a thing to do, that is the right thing to do." - Former President Noynoy Aquino

May PNoy's passing serve as a reminder to us that we have to work together as a community if we all want to have a better country. 

Rest in peace PNoy, thank you for serving the Filipino people the best way you could. 

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